Practical Information

ACCESSIBILITY

Home » Accessibility for People with Disabilities

ACCESSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Accessibility

Visiting a castle with a disability is no easy feat. Indeed, historic heritage and disability do not always go hand in hand, and it is very difficult for tourist sites and historic monuments to cater effectively for people with disabilities, as cut stone and other medieval construction methods are difficult to adapt.

At Le Rivau, accessibility is our priority. We do everything we can to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to visit our site. Almost all of the gardens, the outbuildings, the stables and the wine press are easily accessible to people with reduced mobility. However, accessing the château can be challenging for these visitors, though not impossible. Only the two rooms on the ground floor are open to visitors. You will therefore need to book an appointment so that we can welcome you in the most comfortable circumstances possible.

Since February 2017, the Rivau Gardens have held the ‘Tourisme et Handicap’ accreditation for all four types of disability.

Facilities :
– dedicated parking spaces,
– adapted toilets,
– pathways with non-crumbly concrete surfacing,
– accessible maps available at reception.

Hearing

To make the site more accessible to people with hearing impairments, we offer :

– a hearing loop to ensure you have the best possible experience.
– sign language tours organised in collaboration with a specialist company based in Tours.
– adapted information materials. Please ask for these at reception.

For visitors with hearing difficulties, audio pens are available which can be connected to your own headphones.

Visual

For visitors with visual impairments, we offer a range of options:

large-print menus for the restaurant and a large-print visitor guide for the château and gardens.
a tour guide in Braille.
an audio guide for the tour, which can be used with the assistance of a companion.
Throughout your walk, we encourage you to smell and touch the various flowers and plants you will encounter in the gardens.

Please note that there is no handrail leading to the castle ticket office.

Access

Visitors enter the site via a dedicated entrance, accompanied by a member of the château’s staff. There is a section of the path that is difficult to navigate, a few metres before the ticket office. To improve access to the château and the gardens, the Château du Rivau has installed a concrete path around the château’s kitchen garden and outbuildings.

Access to the gardens is via earthen paths and lawns. These are accessible to people with mobility impairments. However, they can be difficult to navigate in the event of heavy rainfall. Benches and seating are available throughout the route.

People with disabilities can access two rooms on the ground floor of the château via an access ramp. However, it is necessary to book in advance, as this requires assistance from château staff.

Access to the château’s restaurant is available for people with mobility impairments. This requires booking in advance to secure an adapted table and may require assistance from château staff.

A wheelchair is available to borrow, subject to booking.

A tour guide and/or an audio guide will help you explore the site.

Mental health

The Rivau Gardens are ideal for people with learning disabilities. Being out in nature and experiencing the scents of plants and flowers has a very positive effect on these visitors. We do our best to organise sensory activities that spark their curiosity in a safe environment.

Guided tours can be arranged for groups by booking in advance.

Mental health

In addition to these day-to-day initiatives, Le Rivau takes part in the ‘Tourism and Disability’ days and offers reduced admission for carers during the ‘Tourism and Disability’ weekend.

Practical Information
– Adult admission for people with disabilities : €7
– Child admission for people with disabilities : free under 18 years old
– Carers accompanying wheelchair users benefit from a reduced rate of €11.50.